The current Grand Prix is a boring FWD crusier that's taken even more abuse from the cost-cutters than the Impala or Lacrosse. No one can be bothered to give a poop about it, and the Holden rumors are nothing more than wishful thinking at this point.

Well bumpy wouldn't you agree it's a car that GM, desperately needs ? I think GM could sell 75-100,000 units if this Holden Grand Prix was to come out. I think it would need to feature the tactile feel of the others. Gadgetology I think could make the difference. GM, could start with a mega-watt surround sound system, and work all the way up to featuring swivel headlamps. :shades:

GM needs *everything* Holden makes. Problem is that once you build it and ship it over from Australia with the big engine and all the fun gadgets on it, you have to sticker it well above $30k and try to sell it to people who expect to get big decontented cars for $20k OTD. GM would do very well to move 40k a year of an unmolested Commodore SS here.

The only other info I've run across is that the current GP runs until 2008/2009 and is then replaced by a RWD model. This fits with the Holden article in MT and GM Lutz's comments that Pontiac will become a RWD performance division. I like the Holden and have buzzed Pontiac several times that I wanted the drivetrain, optional 6 speed manual & seats from the GTO in my GP!(since the wife will never go for a coupe)

So you saw the Motor Trend article pal on page 18-19 ?It was one of the best ones I've ever read from the import biased MT.

To see what both ocmike and I are talkin' about

Holden Special Vehicles,the Holden hot shopjointly owned by GM's Australian subsidiary and former F1 team ownerTom Walkinshaw, has launched its versions of the all-new, Zeta-based Holden Commodore. More powerful and more aggressively styled, the new HSV cars show how GM could put togeather performance versions of rear-drive Impala or Pontiac Grand Prix of the same architecture.

Base engine across the HSV range is a 412-horse version of the 6.0 LS2 V-8 used in the Holden-based Pontiac GTO.Transmission choice is a Tremec T56 six-speed manual or GM's slick new 6L80 six-speed auto. Holden sources claim test mules have consistently run 0 to 60 in under 5.0 seconds. standing quarter-mile times should be in the12-second bracket.

Brakes are monster 14.3-inch discs up front and 13.7 inch units at the rear, with AP Racing calipers.The top of the range GTS shown here also gets 20-inch alloy wheels and adjustable Magnetic Ride Control shocks by Delphi, as used in the C6 Corvette and the Cadillac STS-V.

Apart from the usual wheels and wings, the visual changes over the standard Holden Commodore include inique front fenders with a prominent side vent and new taillamps. Inside are sport seats and extra guages-voltage, oil temperature, and oil pressure.

Now, here's the best bit: HSV sources haven't ruled out building a limited-run model powered by the 7.0 liter, 502 horse LS7 from the Corvette Z-06. Yeah, it fits, and a car could appear at the Sydney motor show in October of next year. A 502-horsepower four-door sedan? Now that's what we call a musclecar.

yes - I was on-line at MT (which prompted me to notice my Oct. copy of MT never arrived in the mail.) so I ran out an bought a copy at the local store. Its good to see GM taking advantage of some of their international talents.I wasn't familiar with Holden until the "new" GTO was sent over. I think GM is finally coming around to the "global" tactic many international companies have been operating under for decades... adjust the best from divisions wherever they are at and tweak them to meet the various markets. Holden has several vehicles that appeal to me and I hope we will see more of them here. (I've lobbied GM to bring over versions of the Holden Ute/Crossman, being an El Camino fan - owned a 75 & 82; was heartbroken when they discontinued them in 1987.)

I don't find the Grand Prix boring at all. There's no comparison between the Grand Prix or Impala!!! The Impala looks like "nothing." The design is terrible and it looks like any ordinary sedan. At least the GXP has a lot of style and looks sporty, even though it's a sedan!!! What does the Impala have??? It looks exactly like an ordinary family car. At least the Grand Prix looks sporty even though, unfortunately, it's a four-door. I prefer the coupe and wish they would make it again. Chats1

Nothing mentioned at all concerning the next Pontiac Grand Prix, which is a little disconcerting - I'm putting off buying a car until the Holden comes over here. Mostly it mentions possible Chevy cars coming from it. It also mentions possible price points.

I keep seeing different numbers for horsepower for the "base" Grand Prix - I've seen 360, 362 and 400. I don't suppose anyone has any definitive answer? I hate all this speculation which just means I should stop looking for news of it online, but d-mnit I just can't wait! I hope hope hope it will be at least 400 horses like the current gto, otherwise, why bother?

I think the base engine should be the ectotec turbo 4-cylinder from the Solitice/Sky. Price her in the low-mid $20's. The 400 hp. should be the GTP model for mid $30's and the GXP limited edition should be a LS-7 engine from the vette in the low-mid $40's.

Well I suspect it will be a few more grand, but then again maybe not. Regardless it will be a fair deal, and one will be able to own a high performance car that won't break the bank. I also expect the new Grand Prix, to be more upscale than the GTO. I hope a powerful DVD-Audio unit along with heated and AC seats make production. A good voice recognition system w/ Navi would be cool as well. I'd set the packages up like Acura. A base, and a technology package. It works well with Acura, and I see no reason why it wouldn't work well with GM's brands IMHO.